Pages

July 5, 2008

G90: Yankees 2, Red Sox 1

Boston had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the ninth. With one run already in, all they needed was a routine fly ball to tie the game against a faltering Rivera.

But Crisp took a weak hack at an 0-2 pitch and whiffed. Varitek popped up an 2-0 pitch to first base. And Lugo went down swinging at a 2-2 pitch (Rivera got a gift call on strike two).

The teams tied a major league record with a combined seven HBP -- Manny was plunked three times -- but no warnings were given.

Masterson (6-6-2-2-2, 100) pitched well enough to win, but the Sox bats were AWOL. Timlin looked strong in a perfect, nine-pitch ninth inning. The Red Sox seemed to watch a lot of Mussina's (6-4-0-1-5, 89) pitches -- they swung at 24 of 89; four of Mussina's five strikeouts were looking.

New York scored in the second on a one-out walk to Giambi and two-out singles from both Cano and Cabrera. Two singles, a wild pitch, an HBP and a sac fly made it 2-0 in the sixth.

Facing Rivera in the ninth, Drew singled to left-center. Manny was hit and Moss ran for him. Lowell lined a single to right, scoring Drew. Youkilis was hit with an 0-2 pitch and the bases were loaded with one out. But Rivera then snapped out of his funk and dispatched the next three Boston batters.

There had been some speculation that the Red Sox would bring back Clay Buchholz for this start. But it'll be Masterson, who has had more trouble with LH batters (.231/.381/.484) than RH (.163/.239/.263).

In six June starts, Masterson pitched 35.2 innings, allowing 29 hits (including 7 home runs) and 20 walks, while striking out 28 and posting a 4.54 ERA.

So why all the vitriol on this site (not so much from the proprietor) toward Lugo? He doesn't jog to first; he hustles. He steals some bases. He plays hard. He has made as many amazing plays as horrible ones, and I bet he gets to balls Jeter wouldn't touch. He's solid at turning the DP. His contract? Who cares what he's paid...I don't pay it. The hatred is way, way out of proportion to his perceived weaknesses, I think. Unfair.

Doc looking a little ugly on that strikeout.Damn, I went to the complex early to get fields ready for the big games tonight just so I could come home and catch a couple or 3 innings before I have to report back. But now it's starting to rain here, so I'd better head back to handle the clean-up after it stops.Next to last game in the loser bracket of the district 9-10 tournament on Field 1 and on Field 3 my Big League team looks to go to 5 - 0 tonight against East Surry. Woo! Woo!Unless our doubleheader tomorrow afternoon turns into a nightmare, I WILL be able to watch the finale.Go Sox, dammit!

i don't know, wake always makes me nervous with his wild pitches and everyone under the sun runs on him.or it at least seems that way...i hope the cunt doesnt have his stuff tomorrow, or else its gonna be a long night for me at the stadium.

I'm back! Listened to the game while tooling along the midcoast of Maine, then listened as the rally began then fizzled while blasting down I-95. HOME. Good vacation, though. Great to see the game threads again!